The Celtic boss spoke after the game today and made things very clear. He expects the two players who were allegedly en route to Glasgow last night to sign. Both are undergoing medicals and those deals should be completed.
He also talked about one or two others coming in.
If that happens, then Martin has succeeded in wrangling this board in a way few others ever have. In truth, what choice did they have? They got it tight today at Celtic Park and the board deserved every bit of criticism that came their way.
Enough bodies to make a difference. Enough bodies to rest players when required and bring others in. That changes everything.
O’Neill has said some players could leave, but he made it clear they would be fringe figures. Players on the cusp of the squad, not key contributors.
That distinction matters.
The idea that we would sell a top player at this stage borders on the absurd. If that were even contemplated, he would demand a replacement in this window. On Engels, he has already slammed that door shut, and I expect him to get his way. I do not expect Engels to be sold, even with offers on the table.
I will write more about Engels later. In my view, he is a player we will make serious money on if we keep him here and allow him to develop.
You can already see that he has the full package.
Some people disagree. They are wrong. Arne Engels will become a top-class midfielder. At 22, we should be planning to keep him here for years. If we eventually sell him, we will make several times what we paid, especially after another couple of European campaigns. At that point, we set the price.
If this squad emerges from this window stronger than it entered it, that will count as a win for Martin O’Neill. More importantly, it will equip us properly for the second half of the campaign. Then he will already have done something remarkable.
He may have jolted awake a board that has spent far too long asleep at the wheel. The fans have played their part too, but the man in the dugout remains a towering figure in this club’s history. He may yet be heading for his finest hour.